Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Some years ago, Kevin brought home this great old [empty] sulfuric acid bottle with its bright blue plastic stopper. I've always liked it, and always think of that poem when I see it.

I also think of how much better things would look around here if I'd dust more often. (Were you aware of the fact that 'dust' is also a verb? Depressing, isn't it!)

I remember that as a kid one of my jobs was dusting the furniture. We always had chores on Saturday mornings and then usually had Saturday afternoons off, if we got all our chores done (I think they call that child abuse these days). Anyway, I had to really get all the dust off - like even the rungs of chairs and shelves.

These days, I take note of how tall our expected guests are before I dust. I mean, really, if they're all shorter than 5'8", what's the point of dusting the highest library shelves that are not going to be seen anyway?? Okay, that's a bit tongue-in-cheek. But I count on friends coming to see us, not to inspect our house.

Burning woodto heat the house, we seem to have more than our fair share of dust. Right now, I'm letting it accumulate a while to prove that it's not controlling me.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Enjoying a bright January day, the bunny and jays snacked on birdseed that had fallen from the feeder hanging above them. Now and then the bunny would hop, obviously trying to shoo the birds away. The jays would flutter their wings and flit about a foot or two away, but were soon back, crowding and evidently annoying, the hungry bunny.

So.....

Did you watch Downton Abbey on Sunday night? Tell me...what did you think of that episode??What I can't understand is how Julian Fellowes manages to make me cry even when I've seen the episode before. What a tear jerker!! I wonder if he secretly delights in tormenting us.

Any lines you especially enjoyed?

Did Julian Fellowes make you cry??

C'mon...I want to know, I want to know!

P.S. Happy Birthday to my brother who is not reading this anyway. lol

P.P.S. Why on earth is Al Gore getting so much TV time this morning??? I mean, one interview would have been quite enough.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Many bloggers are busy getting projects ready for Valentine's Day, and I'm no exception.

What you see in the photo above is an Amber Romance Homemade Soap Sachet - a sweet, fragrant gift for Valentine's Day- or any day! This cute sachet would make the perfect gift for Mom, Grandma, Friend, Auntie, Teacher - and a delightful hostess gift.

With a little amber, a little musk, a tad floral and a hint of vanilla, this Amber Romance homemade soap sachet has a delicious fragrance. Tuck it in the dresser drawer along with your dainties to make them smell lovely. And of course, the natural, vegan soap bar can later be used as a shower or bath soap.

A black organza sachet, homemade Amber Romance vegan soap bar, extra-sturdy foil heart, and a little deep-red paper make this a pretty and fun gift for just about everyone on your gift list.

P.S. Any of our homemade vegan soaps make great gifts - for Valentine's Day or any occasion. Be sure to check them out!

Friday, January 25, 2013

For all you Downton Abbey fans, you know that Bates (that eternal pessimist) and Anna (the eternal optimist) were married in Ripon, although they were married in the Registrar's office, not the Cathedral. I can't find a registration office in Ripon, so I think Malton would have been where the civil marriage ceremony would have taken place...if the story were true, of course, and if Anna were foolish enough to marry someone with such a negative attitude.

Nevertheless, this week's Anglophile Friday contains a few photos of Ripon Cathedral - mostly windows. I will post the others next week.

Just 20 miles southeast of Leyburn in the Yorkshire Dales lies the city of Ripon. Ripon Cathedral was begun in 660 AD by St. Wilfrid, the son of an Anglo Saxon noble. After living in a Celtic monastery at Lindisfarne, Wilfrid, at age 18, made the trip to Rome (still can't get over how these people managed to travel in those days!). The next three years there changed his life and he made the decision to become a monk.

From RiponCathedral.org:

A Brief History of Ripon Cathedral

"Ripon Cathedral was founded by St Wilfrid (c. 634-709), who brought craftsmen from the continent to build a new stone church dedicated to St Peter, in 672. The only part of Wilfrid’s church to survive, however, is the ancient Saxon crypt.

"Much of the church you see today dates from the 12th century, though most of the nave was substantially rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries.For this reason, the building contains a variety of architectural styles. Thus the splendid Early English west front dates from the early 13th century, while the transepts (the ‘arms’ of a cruciform church) – combining rounded Norman with pointed Gothic arches – are an interesting example of the late 12th century Transitional style.

"The nave was largely rebuilt in the Perpendicular (late Gothic) style after the central tower collapsed in 1450, when the side-aisles were also added. Work was halted, however, by the disruptions of the Reformation in the 1530s, which is why to this day there are incomplete pillars and mismatched arches under the central tower."In 1604 Ripon was re-founded by King James I as a collegiate church, and although the Chapter (the governing body) was dissolved again during the Commonwealth (1649-60), it was reinstated following the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II in 1660. In 1836 Ripon Minster became a Cathedral with the creation of the first new diocese in England since the Reformation."

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

I know that Wisconsin isn't the only place that it's been cold. But you know it's really cold when you want to keep a scarf on, even indoors! The past couple days I've been wearing a lovely knit scarf that my friend Bonnie from Oregon made. It's the softest chenille yarn, and in one of my favorite colors - brown.

So for the people in Florida or Southern California, I thought I'd post this photo of my typical winter attire:

2. My dog coat, or what I call my dog coat: down-filled coat that's warm even in sub-zero temps - at least for a while.

3. Hood

4. My polar fleece hat. I had one and lost it, so I tried to make a duplicate. It's not perfect, but it's warm.

5. Ear muffs. To wear over the hat, keeping the wind away from my ears. High fashion.

6. Insulated gloves. Even if I'm wearing my robe over my p.j.s in the morning to take the dogs out, I wear my gloves. Having warm hands helps.

7. My cell phone. Just in case. So I can call Kevin if I fall on the ice and break my neck. (and he wouldn't be able to hear the phone ring anyway, because he's working with machines. oh well.)

8. Cudl Duds. My friends know this is my 'winter uniform.' We heat with wood, so although the stove keeps the house toasty warm, the farther you are away from the stove...And yes, we have l.p. backup, but I hate turning up the thermostat. When it gets to -15 (outdoors, not indoors) as it has the past couple days, I've been known to wear my polar fleece robe over my clothes. I know. I need to get on that treadmill more often.

9. Wigwam brand wool socks. They are SO comfortable and warm. I almost miss them in the summertime when it's hot and I'm wearing sandals.

10. Jeans. Of course.

11. The chenille scarf - which is around my neck even as I write.

Speaking of socks, I've found a way to make it easy to match them up after laundry:

I have no idea why the lemons were on the counter, but they look pretty in the photo, don't they. Anyway, although the socks look nearly identical, they have different amounts of wear, and if they're mis-matched, it drives me crazy. Please don't tell my daughter this. I remember when she was about 5 years old, she would sit and adjust the lines on the toes of her socks because it would 'drive her crazy.'

Wigwam Wool Socks

Draft Dodger

And this is what I do with those wonderful wool socks when I've worn the heels out. Does anyone still darn socks? That tube made of socks is full of rice, by the way, so it stays put. It could also double as a neck warmer, if you put it in the microwave for a couple minutes.

I can tell it's getting late. I should never write anything at night.

Time to mend the fire (as the Dowager Countess would say) and go to bed.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Oh, the weather outside is frightful...-15 degrees F. as I write this post on Monday night. Brrrrr. It was a good evening for Sweet Potato Stew!

The original stew recipe came from Jean at DelightfulRepast. As you probably know by now, Jean can be counted on to have delectable recipes highlighted by gorgeous photography. When I first made her recipe for beef stew, I realized that I hadn't before known that beef stew could be so delicious! Be sure to visit her site. You won't be sorry. I recommend her ice creams too, but probably not when it's -15 F.

If you check out her recipe for beef stew, you will see that I tweaked it quite a bit for my own personal preference in vegetables and my own level of laziness, i.e. wanting to make it as simple as possible.

So here it is, my version of beef stew.

My Favorite [Sweet Potato] Beef Stew Recipe, Gluten Free:

2 pounds sirloin, diced (or chopped fine)

1 clove garlic, minced

3 T. olive oil

In a large skillet, brown the sirloin and garlic in the olive oil.

Then stir in the following chopped or diced veggies (I like everything cut into smaller pieces. It's just a personal preference.)

Sunday, January 20, 2013

'For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.'

-Psalm 139:13-15

'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart;'

-Jeremiah 1:5a

'But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,

it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck

and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.'

-Matthew 18:6

'Lord, our Lord,how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your gloryin the heavens.Through the praise of children and infantsyou have established a stronghold against your enemies,to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens,the work of your fingers,the moon and the stars,which you have set in place,what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angelsand crowned them with glory and honor.You made them rulers over the works of your hands;you put everything under their feet:all flocks and herds,and the animals of the wild,the birds in the sky,and the fish in the sea,all that swim the paths of the seas.

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